Also known as Virginia Creeper · 172 gardener saves
Parthenocissus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Parthenocissus, the genus most gardeners know as virginia creeper. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Parthenocissus varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBoston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Fenway Park'
#2 most savedBoston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
#3 most savedVirginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Engelmann Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Engelmannii'
How to grow Parthenocissus
What the Parthenocissus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Parthenocissus year
- PlantMarch, April, September and October100% of varieties
Plant containerized stock in spring or fall.
- PruneJanuary, February, June and July100% of varieties
Prune aggressively in late winter to shape; trim summer growth away from structures.
- MulchMarch50% of varieties
Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture, especially when young.
Do
- Provide full to partial sun for optimal foliage color and growth 🌞
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 💧
- Prune annually to control size and promote healthy growth ✂️
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring and summer 🌱
- Water during dry periods 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late summer or fall which can stress the plant ❌
- Refrain from neglecting support structures for climbing vines ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during heavy pruning ❌
What goes wrong with Parthenocissus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves and distorted growth | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Leafhoppers | White stippling on leaves, leaf curling, and yellowing. | Spray with a strong jet of water. Use insecticidal soap. For severe cases, use a systemic insecticide. |
| Japanese Beetles | Skeletonized leaves, with only the veins remaining. | Hand-pick beetles and drop them in soapy water. Use pheromone traps away from the vine. Apply neem oil or a pyrethrin-based insecticide. |
| Japanese Beetle | Leaves are skeletonized, with only the veins remaining. | Hand-pick beetles in the morning and drop into soapy water. Use systemic insecticides containing imidacloprid for severe infestations. |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaf surfaces | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery patches on leaves, especially in humid, shady conditions. | Improve air circulation by pruning. Spray with a solution of baking soda or neem oil. Apply a commercial fungicide. |
| Canker | Sunken, dead areas on stems, which can cause dieback. | Prune out and destroy infected stems well below the canker. Disinfect pruning tools between cuts. |
Making more Parthenocissus
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 6-8 inch sections with clean pruners.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in moist potting mix, keep warm and humid.
- Roots develop in approximately 6 weeks.
Layering
- Bend a low vine branch to the ground
- Cover a portion with soil
- Secure with a stone or peg
- Water regularly
- New roots form in 8 weeks
Parthenocissus questions
How many types of Parthenocissus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Parthenocissus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 172 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Parthenocissus grow in?
Across its varieties, Parthenocissus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Parthenocissus bloom?
Most Parthenocissus varieties bloom in early to mid-summer, late spring to early summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Parthenocissus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Parthenocissus shows up in
Design with Parthenocissus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
